Category Nigeria News

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that all candidates that wish to take the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) must have the National Identification Number (NIN).

In a series of tweets, the examination board urged Prospective candidates to visit the nearest @nimc_ng office for their capturing.

“The Board would ONLY register candidates with NIN.

“All payments on JAMB Services are made directly to the Board’s TSA.

” Please be informed that the Board frowns on any form of financial dealings between candidates and staff.

“Therefore, candidates involved in any financial transaction with a staff of the Board should notify the Board immediately and also provide any useful information about such staff for necessary action”.

All Candidates wishing to take the 2020 UTME must have the National Identification Number (NIN). Prospective candidates are urged to visit the nearest @nimc_ng office for their capturing.

The Board would ONLY register candidates with NIN.

Photo: Twitter- @GeoffreyOnyeama

The Nigerian Government says there is no ulterior motive in its decision to close the nation’s borders.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this during a meeting with two Ghanaian ministers on Thursday in Abuja.

He told Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Integration, Shirley Botchwey, and the country’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, that no country was targeted in the border closure.

READ ALSO: Buhari Orders Probe Of NDDC Operations From 2001

According to the minister, Nigeria, as a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), respects the rules of the regional body.

He gave assurance that free movement of persons and goods would continue, stressing that the border closure was targeted at criminal activities and not countries.

Onyeama also informed the Ghanaian ministers that the Nigerian government would ensure that issues raised by their country would be looked into and addressed as soon as possible.

Read the tweets by the minister below:

Met with H.E. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Integration and H.E. @Alankyerematen, Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry. I assured that after the meeting between the Ministers and relevant stakeholders, the challenge of ease of trade… pic.twitter.com/DTQPnbdYkJ

…not countries. So, in addressing a particular country’s issues, it would not be a disadvantage to another country because for us, it is a measure to address a particular issue. #BorderClosure 🇳🇬🇬🇭 @NigeriaGov @DigiCommsNG @GhanaMFA @ecowas_cedeao

The Peoples Democratic Party and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have mourned with the victims of the Onitsha market fire.

The party in a series of tweets on its Twitter handle said, @OfficialPDPNig
is shocked by the devastating petrol tanker fire outbreak in Onitsha, Anambra state, describing the incident as heartbreaking and traumatizing.

@OfficialPDPNig is deeply saddened by the tragic occurrence particularly, the painful death of our compatriots, including the mother and child, who lost their lives in the inferno that also razed houses, shops and other valuables.

“Indeed, our party mourns. Our hearts ache as our prayers go out to the victims and the families of the deceased, who are now in anguish over their excruciating losses.

“Our party commiserates with the government and people of Anambra state and prays for the repose of the souls of the deceased”.

READ ALSO: Anambra Explosion: Obiano Sympathises With Victims’ Families, Inaugurates Investigative Panel

The Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said, “We’ve had many preventable fuel tanker tragedies. I received with sadness, reports of a tanker explosion in Onitsha, Anambra State, which caused massive destruction to lives and properties in Ochanja Market area. My prayers and thoughts are with the families of the affected”.

The party also urged public-spirited individuals and organization to support the government in finding succour for the victims over their losses.

It, however, called for an investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the accident as well as the circumstances that may have frustrated timely intervention in the tragedy.

The PDP called for measures are put in place to forestall a reoccurrence, as the safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians remain paramount to ‘our party’.

Onitsha Market Fire: PDP Mourns, Condole With Victims

The @OfficialPDPNig is shocked by the devastating petrol tanker fire outbreak in Onitsha, Anambra state, describing the incident as heartbreaking and traumatizing. pic.twitter.com/9a1FaHJKJh

President Muhammadu Buhari with governors of the oil-producing states at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on October 17, 2019.

Governors of the nine oil-producing states in the country have met with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss issues they say are of concern to them.

The meeting held on Thursday when the governors visited the President at the Aso Villa in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State said the issues discussed bothered on security, economy and the development of their various states.

He said he was happy that President Buhari acknowledged the challenges highlighted and has promised to work towards resolving some of them.

READ ALSO: Metuh To Face Trial Over Alleged Destruction Of Evidence

The governor also spoke about the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa and called for peaceful and credible exercise.

Also present at the meeting were Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).

Others are the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; as well as the ministers of Works and Housing and that of Niger Delta Affairs, Babatunde Fashola and Godswill Akpabio.

See photos below:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it totally rejects the decision of the President Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government “impose” a N5000 fee for national identity cards.

The party says the very idea of ID Card fee by the Buhari administration is insupportable, reprehensible and completely offensive.

The PDP stresses that imposing such unwarranted and unjustified levy on Nigerians, for internal social safety instrument, amounts to wicked fleecing as well as stripping of their constitutional rights in their own nation.

Spokesman to the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan states that the party holds that issuance of national identity card to citizens, is an obligation of the state to its citizenry, and must remain free as established by the PDP.

READ ALSO: Channel N10billion Presidential Fund To Kogi Workers, PDP Tells NASS

“The N5000 levy must be immediately rescinded before it triggers restiveness in the nation.

“Already, the fee is generating tension in the country as Nigerians have continued to register their rejection in the public space,” Ologbondiyan stated.

The PDP spokesman further charged President Buhari to direct the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to immediately cancel its decision to levy Nigerians for national identity cards.

He cautioned that such impositions as the fee for national identity cards, breed resentment and “erode the much-desired patriotism; leading to the escalation of social vices and low commitment to nation building by citizens”.

The Nigerian Army says it has changed the name of one of its annual training exercises code name from Python Dance (EGWU EKE ) to Dance of Peace (ATILOGWU UDO).

The annual training exercise commenced in 2016 and covers the South East region of the country.

It is designed to combat criminal activities including kidnappings, armed robbery, inter-cult and communal clashes among other sundry crimes.

READ ALSO: UNILAG To Get Floating Jetty

In a statement by the Operations Media Coordinator of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu says that all other information relative to the exercise as contained in the previous Press Statement and Press Conference issued by the Army Headquarters remain unchanged.

“The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai wishes to reiterate the commitment of the Nigerian Army in protecting the lives and properties of citizens particularly during these ember months and the fast-approaching Yuletide season.

“He also wishes to further solicit the support and understanding of all well-meaning Nigerians towards providing a well-secured environment for all and sundry”, the statement added.